Bloomberg Apologizes To Disabled Reporter

AP photograph of Michael Harris from 2006

Mayor Bloomberg's peeved reaction to an errant tape recorder—which was playing while the mayor was about to make remarks about gay marriage legislation—and its owner, disabled reporter Michael Harris (who wasn't able to immediately reach the device because he's confined to a wheelchair) drew a bit of press. The NY Times called it "awkward" (adding that the mayor was "sighing and glowering" at Harris), the Daily News said the mayor "cranky" and the Post characterized Bloomberg's reaction as a "meltdown."

Harris was surprised at Bloomberg's behavior, telling PolitickerNY, "I think the mayor took something very minor and made it into something major and was a very cheap shot at me. I do think an apology would be in order here." However, mayoral spokesman Jason Post explained to the Times "that the Bloomberg administration frequently went out of its way to accommodate Mr. Harris at press events, providing him with transportation in a special van and ensuring wheelchair access is available" and added that Bloomberg treated Harris the way he would any reporter, "People should be treated the same. This is no different.” True—Bloomberg got totally pissy with John Gambling (his cellphone was ringing) during their radio show.

Cut to today: The Post reports that Bloomberg apologized to Harris. Maybe Bloomberg remembered that 2006 AP article about Harris's subway commute and how few subway stations are accessible to the disabled.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on April 17, 2009 5:45 PM

Comments [rss]

comeonreally

dont let this guy fool you, he may be disabled, but he uses it as an excuse to scam his way through life, I know I went to college with him and he scammed his way through that. He uses the sorrow card to get his way, he has even sued places that he doesn't even go to for not having handicap ramps. I dont think he deserves an apology and he isn't even a reporter. SCAM ARTIST!

FlowerGal

True Colors indeed.

The mayor has yet to display empathy for those not as privileged as he. My hope is that a majority of New Yorkers realize it in November and decide against another four years.

Gothamist_Cynic

Bloomberg doesn't care about crippl people.

Stewart

So which is it - do they treat "Harris the way he would any reporter" or go "out of its way to accommodate Mr. Harris at press events"?

JacqueMehoff

you mean someone forced our billionaire mayor to do something against his will? or business sense?

longacre

Bloomberg was being forced to announce an initiative that will require lawmakers to expend an enormous amount of political capital but will benefit only a small handful of people–political capital that would best be spent on the much more serious problems facing the state as a whole, i.e. the fact that it's nearly bankrupt. I can understand why he was a little testy.

JacqueMehoff

I believe that's still mr. harris' opinion of bloomberg on his so called "apology". besides wasn't this the Governor's press conference and he's a guest?

ugh

Bloomberg is still a douchebag.

schizofriendly

I will never know what to make of our mayor.

skbk

is calling every single gothamist post a non-story the cool new thing?

Qraymond

No, this is a story. Much more interesting than gossip about an alleged hipster "con-artist".

jaycjay

That's a non-post, so I'm not going to answer.

himynameispaul

What a non-reply.

himynameispaul

What a non-reply.

snickerdoodle

Another non-story brought to us by the liberal, politically correct press.

REALITY CHECK

Come on, the guy is in a wheelchair and couldn't physically reach the tape player as fast as those of us who can walk. This has nothing to do with political correctness, it's just common courtesy.

JacqueMehoff

what exactly is being political correct?

how bout being a decent human being, is that too much to ask? so this is what's meant by compassionate conservative.

being an asshole, that's nothing new for sure.

thefacts

Indeed!

Michael Harris is a nice guy, polite and entertaining, who works very hard and is very successful despite his disability.

Why the Rabid Right exemplified by #1 would denigrate his predicament indicates the gutter level of compassion displayed by 'compassionate' conservatives.

Thank God this nation and New York State has given them the boot.